Travel

Germany

- The 2026 sailing season has begun along the German Baltic Sea coast, accompanied by various changes in the area.
- The changes range from problematic construction sites such as the Kalkgrund lighthouse to major projects such as the Fehmarnsund Tunnel and Warnow Bridge.
- The sailing area update is divided into four coastal sections; readers can report further news by emailing mail@yacht.de.

Area update: Big overview - what's new on the Baltic Sea coast in 2026

- Wilhelmshaven sea lock completely closed from 11-13 May from 16:00-01:00 due to repairs to old lock gates.  
- East chamber out of service, no individual locks for pleasure craft on weekdays; fixed lock times at weekends seaward and inland.  
- New harbour regulations for outer harbour: registration with "Wilhelmshaven Lock", only corridor passage, mooring prohibited; new lock gates from 2026/27, completion 2032.

Wilhelmshaven: sea lock closed for three nights

- First of 89 tunnel elements of the 18 km long Fehmarnbelt tunnel is lowered below millimetre tolerance in front of Rødbyhavn.
- Project is around two years behind the original completion date of 2029, partly due to delays with the special ship "Ivy"
- German hinterland connection with Fehmarnsund immersed tunnel is not expected to be completed before 2031, journey time from HH to Copenhagen should be 2.5 hours.

Fehmarnbelt tunnel: First element is lowered

- The estimated costs for the renovation of the harbour and piers in Damp have risen to 31 million euros, and subsidies must be increased.
- New, higher stone piers and continuous floating jetties with finger pontoons are intended to significantly increase the marina's resilience to storm surges.
- Construction work on the new jetties and piers is scheduled to begin at the end of the year, with reopening with around 370 berths planned for spring 2028 at the earliest.

Damp: New plans for the marina

- Heligoland is struggling with dilapidated harbours and a renovation backlog of up to 500 million euros due to a lack of funding from the local, federal and state governments.  
- Mayor Pollmann once again brings a land connection to the dune into play, at a cost of around 250 million euros, financed by investors and the state.  
- Scientists warn of technical risks, sailing regattas would be affected, nature reserves and seal pupping grounds require environmental assessment.

Big plans 2.0: Heligoland's reunification

- Leer sea lock completely closed to shipping from 6 May 2026, 8 am, to 8 May 2026, around 5 pm, due to maintenance work.  
- No passages are possible during this period, and the harbour and the town of Leer cannot be reached via the lock.  
- The 1903 lock connects the port of Leer with Leda and Unterems and was last completely renovated in 2021.

Ems: Leer sea lock completely closed for three days

- The artificial island "Ostervilm", a former GDR demagnetisation station, will be auctioned in Hamburg on 4 June 2026 starting at 39,000 euros.  
- Its use and refurbishment are severely restricted due to its dilapidated condition, location in a federal waterway and biosphere reserve and authorisation requirements.  
- Buyers acquire platform and right of use for approx. 710 square metres of water area at an annual rent of 75 euros; on-site inspection is not possible.

Starting price 39,000 euros: Extravagant Baltic Sea island up for auction

- Federal government provides 17 million euros for voluntary decommissioning of shrimp cutters, 120,000 to 180,000 euros per ship when scrapped.  
- At least 13 fishermen have submitted applications, while others in Fedderwardersiel are protesting against the loss of fishing grounds due to wind farms and protected areas.  
- Industry has been shrinking for years due to economic pressure and regulations; scrapping premium accelerates structural change and threatens tradition and expertise.

Crab fishermen in a tight spot: between scrapping premium and existential fears

- Entlang Rügen und Usedom wurden zahlreiche Häfen saniert, modernisiert oder ausgebaut, u. a. Stege, Sanitäranlagen, Abwassertechnik und Infrastruktur.
- Digitalisierung und Service werden ausgebaut: u. a. digitale Verwaltung und App-Reservierung in Lohme, neue Gastroangebote, Saunen und Terrassen.
- Am Peenestrom führt der Brückenneubau bei Wolgast zu Einschränkungen, geänderten Öffnungszeiten und erhöhter Vorsichtspflicht für Skipper.

Baltic Sea coast: Area update 2026 - Waters around Rügen and Usedom

- The Friesenbrücke Weener is in trial operation; opening times for ships are coordinated with train traffic and updated in the BfS for May.
- There are usually four opening windows of around 25 minutes each every day; the bridge is open continuously from 4 p.m. to 8 a.m., with some exceptions and closures.
- The new construction (completed in 2025) replaces the previous bridge, which was destroyed after a ship collision; with a centre section of 145 m, it is the largest movable bridge of its kind.

Ems: Trial operation - new Friesenbrücke bridge near Weener with fewer openings in May

- Fehmarnsund-Tunnel wird teurer (2,3 Mrd. Euro), länger (1,8 km) und erst 2032 eröffnet; zahlreiche Hafenmodernisierungen auf Fehmarn.
- In Großenbrode, Neustadt, Travemünde und Kühlungsborn wurden Stege, Versorgung, Digitalisierung und Serviceangebote umfangreich erneuert.
- In Rostock-Marinas wurden Elektrik, Liegeplatzgrößen und Sanitäranlagen modernisiert; neue Warnow-Klappbrücke ist noch in Planung ohne Baubeginn.

Baltic Sea coast: Area update 2026 - Mecklenburg Bay with Lübeck Bay

- Maintenance-free jetty decking made from recycled TRIMAX® plastic from TEPRO GmbH was chosen for the Marina Teltow.
- Around 550 m² of jetty area, divided into 6 main jetties and 17 finger jetties, were realised with TRIMAX® profiles 5 x 30 cm in red-brown.
- The substructure was also made from TRIMAX® profiles 5 x 10 cm; durability, low maintenance and sustainability were emphasised.

Tepro: Marina Teltow

Germany's most beautiful sailing areas by yacht: Important tips for travelling and chartering sailing boats in Germany ►

Sailing areas in Germany: The best routes & sailing areas

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Sailing areas in Germany: The best routes & sailing areas

Area update
Big overview - what's new on the Baltic Sea coast in 2026

Wilhelmshaven
Sea lock closed for three nights

Fehmarnbelt tunnel
First element is lowered

Damp
New plans for the marina

Big plans 2.0
Heligoland's reunification

Ems
Leer sea lock completely closed for three days

Starting price 39,000 euros
Extravagant Baltic Sea island up for auction

Crab fishermen in a tight spot
Between scrapping premium and existential fears

Baltic Sea coast
Area update 2026 - Waters around Rügen and Usedom

Ems
Trial operation - new Friesenbrücke bridge near Weener with fewer openings in May

Baltic Sea coast
Area update 2026 - Mecklenburg Bay with Lübeck Bay

Tepro
Marina Teltow

Sailing areas in Germany: The best routes & sailing areas

Area updateBig overview - what's new on the Baltic Sea coast in 2026

WilhelmshavenSea lock closed for three nights

Fehmarnbelt tunnelFirst element is lowered

DampNew plans for the marina

Big plans 2.0Heligoland's reunification

EmsLeer sea lock completely closed for three days

Starting price 39,000 eurosExtravagant Baltic Sea island up for auction

Crab fishermen in a tight spotBetween scrapping premium and existential fears

Baltic Sea coastArea update 2026 - Waters around Rügen and Usedom

EmsTrial operation - new Friesenbrücke bridge near Weener with fewer openings in May

Baltic Sea coastArea update 2026 - Mecklenburg Bay with Lübeck Bay

TeproMarina Teltow

Area update
Big overview - what's new on the Baltic Sea coast in 2026

Wilhelmshaven
Sea lock closed for three nights

Fehmarnbelt tunnel
First element is lowered

Damp
New plans for the marina

Big plans 2.0
Heligoland's reunification

Ems
Leer sea lock completely closed for three days

Starting price 39,000 euros
Extravagant Baltic Sea island up for auction

Crab fishermen in a tight spot
Between scrapping premium and existential fears

Baltic Sea coast
Area update 2026 - Waters around Rügen and Usedom

Ems
Trial operation - new Friesenbrücke bridge near Weener with fewer openings in May

Baltic Sea coast
Area update 2026 - Mecklenburg Bay with Lübeck Bay

Tepro
Marina Teltow